---
author: "Umesh Malik"
canonical: "https://umesh-malik.com/blog/tag/databases"
description: "Explore articles tagged with Databases by Umesh Malik — AI Engineer, LLM & GenAI Developer. Learn Databases best practices, practical tips, and in-depth guides."
title: "Umesh Malik's Blog - Databases Articles | Databases Tutorials"
tokens: 296
generator: "scripts/generate-page-markdown.mjs"
---

[← Back to Blog](https://umesh-malik.com/blog)

# Databases

2 articles

 [![The five feature-flagged phases of a zero-downtime datastore migration, from dual writes through shadow reads to cutover](https://umesh-malik.com/blog/zero-downtime-database-migration-dual-writes-cover.png)

Web Engineering • Aug 16, 2026

### Zero downtime database migration: 5 flags and a 17x P90 gap

A zero downtime database migration is five feature-flagged phases, not a cutover. P95 said 4x slower, P90 said 17x, and the comparison code took a region down.

12 min read

Read more →](https://umesh-malik.com/blog/zero-downtime-database-migration-dual-writes)

 [![A research spike shipped as running code surfaces engine-specific blockers a design doc would have missed](https://umesh-malik.com/blog/research-spike-as-running-code-cover.png)

AI Coding Agents & DX • Aug 13, 2026

### Build your research spike as running code: 8 blockers a doc missed

A research spike should ship as running code, not a design doc. alchemy-utils surfaced 8 engine blockers a doc would miss, and priced the fix at 3-5 weeks.

10 min read

Read more →](https://umesh-malik.com/blog/research-spike-as-running-code)